Ron DeSantis was once within striking distance of Donald Trump. But after a summer of campaigning and four Trump indictments, the Florida governor has floundered in national polls while the former president has ascended.

Mr. Trump leads Mr. DeSantis in the GOP presidential primary by an average of nearly 40 percentage points, 53% to 15%, compared to less than 15 points in the first few months of this year before the criminal charges, at 43% to 28%.

Mr. DeSantis appeared to be closing in on Mr. Trump at one point. At his peak in February, Mr. DeSantis’ polling average was less than 13 points behind Mr. Trump.

Then came four indictments against Mr. Trump, the first in March. Since then, the separation between the two leading Republican candidates has steadily increased.

Mr. DeSantis experienced his largest average polling deficit of more than 41 points a few weeks ago. He failed to receive a popularity bounce from the first GOP presidential debate, despite dominating much of the conversation and Mr. Trump not participating.

• Ramsey Touchberry can be reached at rtouchberry@washingtontimes.com.